Colorado History Museum, 1300 Broadway, Denver, 303/866-4686 or coloradohistory.org. Authors' Lecture Series: Tom Noel speaks about Riding High: Colorado Ranchers & 100 Years of the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 12; Charles Sanders, The Boys of Winter: Life and Death in the U.S. Ski Troops During the Second World War, Feb. 15; Flint Whitlock, Distant Bugles, Distant Drums: The Union Response to the Confederate Invasion of New Mexico, March 29; Duane Smith and Christine Bradley, The Rise of the Silver Queen, May 24. "Sandwiching in History" Series: "Touching Tomorrow: The Emily Griffith Story," Feb. 9; "The Life and Times of Glenn Miller," March 9; "Understanding Amache, Victorian-Era Cheyenne," April 11; "Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday in Colorado," May 11; "The Heart of Colorado: the Capitol in Granite and Gold," June 1. Call 303/866-3682 for more.

Ballroom Dance to a Big Band, Buck Recreation Center, 2004 W. Powers Ave., Littleton. Join The Skylarks for an evening of dancing and big-band music Jan. 21, 7:30-9:30 p.m., with a free dance lesson at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7, or $6 for seniors. Call 303/797-8787 for more info.

theater Denver Center Theater Company Free Performances, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 1245 Champa St., Denver, denvercenter.org. Featuring "Free for All" performances with tickets available the day of the performance at the box office. Begins at 4:30 p.m., one ticket per over the age of 6. Free shows on Jan. 11, 18.